Max social security benefit

[Smilinggirl]

I will be eligible to receive 1/2 of my ex’s social security benefit when we retire, but I can only find vague explanations online about how to estimate how much he’ll receive and I’d rather not ask him. I know that for the past 12 years he’s made between 135,000 and 350,000, usually in the 175-225k range. Other years though, he’s only made 50-75k and of course when he was younger it was less than that. Does anyone know if, based on the higher years, he will be eligible for the max amount? Thank you in advance for any clarification you can offer.

[kork13]

The SSA has an estimator that you can use, if you know his SSN & some other info.

In general terms, though, he had to have earned the SS max wage income (currently ~$135k) for at least 35 years to get the full max. Those maximums depend also on when he/you claim benefits. But if he qualifies for the max benefit, those amounts are:
$2,265 claimed at age 62.
$3,011 claimed at full retirement age.
$3,790 claimed at age 70.

However, it looks like he won't qualify for the absolute max. But he is likely to have a higher amount due to those high years. Best way to think of it is that over the course of your life, each month of income counts for a particular amount. Lower income months add less, max income months add more. But it won't be a huge range of amounts... I've averaged ~$80k in wage income thus far (I'm 34), and their estimate says I'd get a ~$2600/mo SS amount. If that helps at all.....

[Like2Plan]

I will be eligible to receive 1/2 of my ex’s social security benefit when we retire, but I can only find vague explanations online about how to estimate how much he’ll receive and I’d rather not ask him. I know that for the past 12 years he’s made between 135,000 and 350,000, usually in the 175-225k range. Other years though, he’s only made 50-75k and of course when he was younger it was less than that. Does anyone know if, based on the higher years, he will be eligible for the max amount? Thank you in advance for any clarification you can offer.

You might be able to ask social security if you could get an estimate. But, the short answer to your question is that likely it will be some amount less than the max.
I have gone through the calculations trying to see if I could calculate my DH's primary insurance amount and there is a lot of data to process!
The first thing to keep in mind is that it is based on the high 35 years of earning--so, you have to know what the wages were. And, the income is indexed for inflation. And, the index numbers change every year. So, even if you calculate it for this year--you have to go through the whole process next year.
Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME)

https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/Benefits.html#aime

Once you come us with the average indexed amount, you then put it through a formula.
Social security replaces more of your income in the lower brackets. This is where the "bend points" come into play"
PIA formula
For an individual who first becomes eligible for old-age insurance benefits or disability insurance benefits in 2021, or who dies in 2021 before becoming eligible for benefits, his/her PIA will be the sum of:
(a) 90 percent of the first $996 of his/her average indexed monthly earnings, plus
(b) 32 percent of his/her average indexed monthly earnings over $996 and through $6,002, plus
(c) 15 percent of his/her average indexed monthly earnings over $6,002.

https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/piaformula.html

Then, there are reductions based on if you are claiming prior to your full retirement age.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Social Security sends a benefits estimate upon request.

[disneysteve]

Social Security sends a benefits estimate upon request.

You can also get that online. You just need the person's SSN.

[Like2Plan]

You can also get that online. You just need the person's SSN.

I thought that was a no-no to use someone else's SSN. When DH signed up for a SS account-- it has 2 factor authentication (and only he could sign up for it).

Here is some info published by AARP on the topic:

" A representative at your local Social Security office can provide estimates of the benefit you can receive as a divorced spouse,
based on your former wife’s or husband’s earnings record. Call Social Security at 800-772-1213 to make an appointment. "

https://www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/questions-answers/estimate-ex-spouse-benefits.html

"Getting information on how much your Social Security benefits will be is as simple as making a phone call to the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213
or visiting one of the local offices. Check www.ssa.gov/locator for a list of offices near you. The Social Security Administration will be able to give you an estimate on
the benefits you may receive as a divorced spouse or a surviving divorced spouse, as well as on your own earned benefit. If you don’t have a good relationship with your
ex-spouse, don’t worry. You don’t have to get his or her permission or approval to collect benefits. Nor will Social Security inform your ex-spouse that you are getting
the benefit, as it does not impact his or her own monthly benefits"

https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/money/budgeting_savings/2011-12/Find-out-how-to-claim-Social-Security-if-you-are-divorced-AARP.pdf

[Smilinggirl]

Thank you for the responses. I vaguely remember seeing that you weren’t supposed to try to estimate with someone else’s social security number. I didn’t realize I could work around that though, so once again this forum has given me valuable info.